more from moore

February 19, 2008

moore is back! oh well, he’s always been around trying to reveal the worse things about uncle sam.

the urge to download michael moore’s award-winning albeit controversial documentary, sicko, was an accident. while channel surfing, i happened to pass by hallmark channel showing oprah primetime. on that particular episode, oprah’s guest was the controversial filmmaker michael moore. oprah featured moore’s soul-gripping film, sicko. although i didn’t eavesdrop to oprah’s talk at that time, i went to my computer to download the said film.

i usually read reviews of any films i download.

but for this one, i did nothing.

i didn’t know that i was up for a shocking revelation from the LAND OF THE FREE; with emphasis on FREE.

the film criticizes the system currently being implemented in the US by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) via the us government. for a nation with a hegemonic status, how come the government cannot provide a universal health care system for its citizens, the film asks.

the answer lies on the thousands of dollars going in and out of the US congress and, more critically, the White House.

i cannot say that i don’t like the united states. the money that was used to finance our education (the three of us…) and kept us afloat came from the big apple. but for someone who, let me say enlightened, i don’t have plans to emigrate to the home of the brave. i don’t even have plans to settle in other countries but mine; but if i really have to choose, definitely, it wouldn’t be the us.

i was surprised to realize i was crying while watching sicko.

watching it is like experiencing pacquiao’s greatest fight, only better. with this film, you not see two men pummeling each other to get the pot money; but a more dramatic reality-tv where crocodile HMOs aided by their staunch mercenaries–the government itself, who should be protecting the citizens–are devouring billions of dollars at the expense of sick and dying people.

i thought the biggest insult to the very essence upon which the United States of America is founded is when moore’s team goes to canada to expose that the health care in the US’s neighbor is absolutely free. two of moore’s relatives whom he asked to go to the us for an interview, don’t want to leave their home country not unless they have travel insurance. they, according to them, don’t want to go to the us defenseless. however, i thought wrong.

moore went to london and even flew to france. americans who emigrated to these european countries testify to how happy they are in these foreign soil. a government-run hospital in london treats patients ABSOLUTELY FREE! they don’t even discuss money at all. the wacky moore tries to look for a cashier. and he finds one only to find out that instead of going in the "cashier’s booth," money goes out to give transport allowance to patients leaving the hospital. a brit doctor employed by the government owns a million dollar 4-bedroom home all for him and his family, drives an audi car, and celebrates life every night. he says, "the system is very good…we have this new system that if you treat your patients better, you’ll earn more…london is an expensive city but we live comfortably."

in france, a government hired-nanny is sent to your home for 4-hours, twice a week to let the parents do whatever they want to do. they even have a 5-week vacation, which they are paid 100% (65% by the gov’t. and 35% by their employer).

then, a question was formed in my mind: is it also possible here in the philippines? it is. as long as we place the right person in the government. as long as our taxes go to its rightful destinations and be used for its sole purpose: to the projects that will aid the citizens.  more than bridges, drainages, and other infrastructural projects, taxes must aid the government in providing the citizens health care, housing assistance, and the list goes on. sweden prides itself to help its citizens from cradle to the grave, if they can do it, why can’t we? forget the industrialized vs third-world nation argument. someone must step up to do what is right.

then, moore brought 9-11 firefighters to guantanamo bay, where the al-qaeda elites are being detained. it is, according to the film, the only american soil where health care is provided for FREE. if the perpetrators of the 9-11 attacks receive free medication from US top-notch healthcare providers, why can’t the heroes of 9-11 receive the same thing? unfortunately, they have to leave the waters of guantanamo bay. and in the course of unfortunate events, they arrive at cuba, the most evil nation in the world, or so americans thought (us included, thanks to the americans).

this is the portion where my tears started to flow.

this is, i think, the most insulting insult to AMERICA. cuban doctors providing FREE HEALTHCARE to american citizens. when they are admitted, the receptionist doesn’t ask for their citizens; only their names and birthdays.

and, as the cuban doctors assure them, they will receive the same high-quality treatment being given to anybody else in that havana-hospital.

when will we learn?

this is the right time to overtake that hegemon! why leave the country? let’s all help one another to make this juan dela cruz’s land far better than uncle sam’s.

let’s open our eyes. america is not the land of the free anymore. my dear oprah may have given free cars and helped you realize your wild dreams, but don’t expect it from the us government.

america is no longer the home of the braves. people are afraid of their government. the government are even afraid of the HMOs. without them, who will support their bids for the succeeding elections?  

although i do not support leaving your country, but if your only hope is to emigrate, by all means, don’t choose america. migrating is always a huge and difficult gamble. if your life is at stake, why place your bets to a country where it allows its own people to die?

God bless those countries who look after their people’s needs…who prioritize their people than any other interest groups.

…and yes, God bless  (and salvage) the people in america.

*sparkles!